Multimode snow tool

ABSTRACT

A one-piece tool head comprising a scoop and at least one socket with a retention snap provided on the scoop for engaging a free end of a handle to secure the handle to the one-piece tool head, thus forming a multi-functional tool without the need for separate fasteners to secure the handle and the one-piece tool head together.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to snow shovels. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a multimode snow shovel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snow removing tools typically comprises a scoop attached to a handle. The connection between the scoop and the handle oftentimes proves to be too flexible and flimsy. Moreover, a snow removing tool usually functions as either a snow pusher or a snow scoop. Snow pushers are characterized by wide, curved scoops, and are typically used like human-powered plows. Designed to push the snow out of the way, the shape of their scoops makes lifting and flinging snow with them difficult. Lifting and flinging snow is best done with snow scoops. However when the scoops have low sides, the snow that is being shoveled tends to spill out therefrom. However, deep large scoops tend to be heavy and therefore difficult for the user to handle.

In fact, traditional snow tools are cumbersome and labor intensive, and do not provide ergonomics for a wide range of users.

There is still a need in the art for an improved snow tool.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

More specifically, there is provided a one-piece tool head for a tool having a handle, comprising a scoop and at least one socket provided on the scoop, the socket comprising a retention snap engaging a free end of the handle to secure the handle to the one-piece tool head.

There is further provided a tool comprising a one-piece tool head including a scoop and at least one socket provided on the scoop, and a handle comprising an end grip and at least one free end, the at least one free end comprising a stop engaging a retention snap of the at least one socket.

There is further provided a one-piece scooping head for a tool, comprising a scoop, housings for connection to a handle extending from the scoop, and at least one of a grip and a foot rest supported between the housings.

Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a snow tool according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the snow tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the snow tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the snow tool of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 show details of a handle of a snow tool according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a connection between the tool-head and the handle of a snow tool according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 7 shows details of a socket of a scoop of a snow tool according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIGS. 8 show different uses of a snow tool according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 9 shows a free end of a handle in a socket according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 10 show a tool according to another embodiment of the present invention: a) front view, b) perspective side view; c) perspective front view; d) and c) details of attachment of tool head to handle;

FIG. 11 show a tool according to another embodiment of the present invention: a) front view, b) perspective top view; c) detail of attachment of tool head to handle; and

FIGS. 12 show a tool according to another embodiment of the present invention: a) front view, b) perspective top view; c) detail of attachment of tool head to handle.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a snow tool 10 according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention generally comprises a one-piece tool head 12 and a handle 14.

The handle 14 may be a double handle formed of a folded member 20, the folded part of the member 20 providing an end grip 22 for a user.

As best seen in the side view in FIG. 2, the handle 14 may be shaped so that the end grip 22 be at an angle α relative to the remaining part of the handle 14.

The handle 14 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4 may be a one-piece bent aluminum or steel or other metallic or composite member, of an elliptical, circular or tubular cross section for example. Obviously, the double handle 14 may be formed of two separate arms.

The one-piece tool head 12 comprises a scoop 13, which may have a range of size so as to best accommodate the strength of the user. The scoop 13 may be a deep, shovel/pusher combo like scoop. The scoop 13 may be made in a plastic material. It may comprise a steel galvanized, injection-molded nylon wear strip 16 at a bottom edge thereof shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for example. Alternatively, the scoop 23 may be made in aluminum or a metal or a composite material for example.

The one-piece tool head 12 further comprises sockets 18 integral with the scoop 13, which receive the free ends of the handle 14. The free ends of the handle 14 are provided with stops 50 which can engage retention snaps 30 of the sockets 18 as discussed hereinbelow (see FIG. 6).

As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, the sockets 18 extend away from the scoop 13 into housings 19 that guide the free hands of the handle 14. Intermediate grips, 24, 26, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, may be provided at different levels along the length of these housings 19. Such intermediate grips 24, 26 allow the user a variety of handling possibilities, as described hereinbelow in relation to FIG. 8, using either hands or foot. The grips can be provided with overmolded coatings 32 as best seen in FIG. 3 for example.

The one-piece tool head 12 may further comprise, at a top part of the scoop 13, for example between the sockets 18 and the housings 19, a foot rest 25, also integral with the scoop 13.

The one-piece tool head 12, including the scoop 13, sockets 18 with retention snaps 30, housings 19 and intermediate grips 24, 26 and foot rest 25, is typically made in a plastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or a composite material. As people in the art will appreciate, the present tool head is a one piece member, which integrates auxiliary grips.

The free ends of the handle 14 are inserted in the sockets 18 of the one-piece tool head 12. Each socket 18 may be provided with ribs 51, seen in FIG. 7, which guide the free ends of the handle 14 along the length of the sockets 18. The retention snap 30 on the socket 18 engages the stop 50, shown in FIGS. 5 b and 5 c as the edge of an aperture in the free end of the handle, which forms a stop and locks the retention snap 30 into position as shown in FIG. 6, thereby securing the handle 14 to the tool head 12. The stop 50 on the handle 14 may be a notch or a sinking in the material of the handle 14. Alternatively, the stop 50 may be formed by a retractable pin, adapted to retract inside the wall of the handle 14 to allow insertion of the handle 14 into the socket 18, and which forms a stop engaging the retention snap 30 once the handle 14 is in place in the socket 18.

When a downward force is applied on the handle 14, for example when using the tool as a pusher or a scraper as described hereinbelow in relation to FIGS. 8, the extremity of the free ends of the handle 14 come into abutment with the bottom 31 of the sockets 18. When the user pulls on the handle 14, the stops 50 of the handle 14 come into abutment with the snap portion 30 of the sockets 18 (see FIG. 9).

It has been shown that such a retention snap 30, having a compression strength of about 75 lbs at +20° C., has a compression strength increased by about 25% at a temperature of −20° C.

The present tool can be used as a pusher, the user, positioned behind the tool 10 and holding the end grip 22, moving forward (see FIG. 8 a). The tool head and the quick-connect system between handle and tool head allow the user to push the snow until the scoop 13 is filled at a desired capacity depending on the user's strength as shown in FIG. 8 a for example, and then rock the tool head 12 back (see arrow B in FIG. 1) by pushing on the end grip 22 towards the user (see arrow A in FIG. 1) to lift the scoop edge, thus using the tool 10 as a ski or sleigh to ergonomically transport the snow to a desired location without lifting effort and without straining the user's back.

The present tool can also be used as a shovel, the user having one hand on the end grip 22 and another hand on one of the intermediate grips 24, 26 (FIG. 8 b); as a scraper, the user weighing with one foot on the foot rest 25 for engaging the snow or ice on the ground for example (FIG. 8 c); and as a cleaner, the user having one hand on the end grip 22 and another hand on one of the intermediate grips 24, 26, with the tool head 12 upside down for example, so that the front edge of the scoop 13 contacts the surface to be cleaned (FIG. 8 d).

The quick-connect system as formed by the snap and the stop as illustrated for example in FIG. 6 eliminates the need for separate fasteners to secure the handle and the tool head together. This snap connection between the tool head and the handle does not require using any tools.

The present tool is a multi-functional snow tool, as efficient and ergonomic as a pusher as a sleigh shovel for example.

As discussed hereinabove, the present tool head and snap connection between the tool head and the handle can be used for a tool comprising a double handle formed by two separate handles each one having a free end secured in a respective socket. The handles may be made in wood or other material for example.

The present one-piece tool head and snap connection between the tool head and the handle may also be used for a tool comprising a traditional single handle design, as shown in FIGS. 10-12 for example. In this case, the tool head comprises one socket 18 integral with the scoop 13, which receives the free end of the handle 14, the free ends of the handle 14 being provided with a stop 50 which can engage the retention snap 30 of the socket 18 as discussed hereinabove (see FIG. 6).

Moreover, although the handle 14 as illustrated herein is shown connected to the scoop 13 in a generally vertical position, the present tool head and the quick-connect system between handle and tool head allow connecting the handle at a range of angles as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 for example. In FIGS. 11, the socket 18 of the tool head has a direction generally paralleled to the upper edge of the scoop 13 and receives the free hand of a handle 14 which has a bended shape. In FIG. 12, the socket 18 of the tool head has a direction generally perpendicular to the upper edge of the scoop 13 and receives the free hand of a handle 14 which has a bended shape.

Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims. 

1. A one-piece tool head for a tool having a handle, comprising: a scoop; and at least one socket provided on the scoop, said socket comprising a retention snap, and said retention snap engaging a free end of the handle to secure the handle to said one-piece tool head.
 2. The one-piece tool head of claim 1, comprising at least one housing extending from said at least one socket, said housing guiding the free end of the handle.
 3. The one-piece tool head of claim 1, comprising two sockets and a first and a second housings extending from each said sockets respectively, and at least one intermediate grip provided along a length of said first and second housings.
 4. The one-piece tool head of claim 1, further comprising a foot rest provided at an upper edge of said scoop.
 5. A tool, comprising : a one-piece tool head including a scoop and at least one socket provided on the scoop; and a handle, comprising an end grip and at least one free end; the at least one free end comprising a stop, said stop engaging a retention snap of said at least one socket.
 6. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle is a double handle having two free ends, said one-piece tool head comprising two sockets provided on the scoop, each socket receiving a free end of the handle, each socket comprising a retention snap engaged by a stop in each free end.
 7. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle is a double handle formed of a folded member, said handle having two free ends, a folded portion of the folded member forming the end grip and free ends of the folded members opposite said folded portion forming the free ends of the handle, said one-piece tool head comprising two sockets on the scoop, each socket receiving a free end of the handle, each socket comprising a retention snap engaged by a stop in each free end.
 8. The tool of claim 5, wherein said end grip of the handle is at an angle relative to a remaining part of the handle.
 9. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle is a one-piece member comprising one of a metal and a composite material.
 10. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle has one of an elliptical, a circular and a tubular cross section.
 11. The tool of claim 5, wherein said one-piece tool head is made in one of a plastic material, a composite material, and a metallic material.
 12. The tool of claim 5, wherein said at least one free hand of the handle comprises one of an aperture, a notch, a sinking and a pin that forms said stop.
 13. The tool of claim 1, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises at least one housing extending from said at least one socket, said housing guiding said at least one free end of the handle.
 14. The tool of claim 6, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises a housing extending from each one of said socket, and at least one intermediate grip supported between said housings.
 15. The tool of claim 5, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises a foot rest provided at an upper edge of said scoop.
 16. The tool of claim 5, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises at least one housing extending from said at least one socket, said housing guiding said at least one free end of the handle.
 17. A one-piece scooping head for a tool, comprising a scoop, housings for connection to a handle extending from said scoop, and at least one of a grip and a foot rest supported between said housings. 